Man accused of passport fraud now faces drug, firearms charges

A federal grand jury in Sacramento today returned a superseding indictment against a Mexican national living in Vallejo who has been charged with passport fraud and identity theft.

Eliecer Reyes Huerta, 31, was indicted Dec. 19, 2013, on charges of making false statements in connection with applications for United States passports and aggravated identity theft. The six-count superseding indictment adds charges of possessing methamphetamine and cocaine with intent to distribute, and unlawfully possessing a firearm, according to a federal Department of Justice news release.

Court documents indicate that on July 30, 2012, Huerta filed an application for a U.S. passport falsely stating that his name was Jose Manuel Ventura Ruiz and that he was born in Puerto Rico. But authorities said Huerta is an alien who was previously deported to Mexico.

In October 2012, Huerta is alleged to have falsely stated again that his name was Jose Manuel Ventura Ruiz, this time in connection with an application for a U.S. passport for a minor.

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According to court documents, in January, when law enforcement agents executed search warrants for Huerta’s home, they discovered methamphetamine and cocaine packaged in plastic bags, scales and a handgun.

Huerta is in custody and is to be arraigned on the superseding indictment May 30.

The case resulted from an investigation by the U.S. State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.